News Room

Beyond the golden arches

CNA staff volunteer to cook, serve a meal at Ronald McDonald House

10/25/2018 3:07:08 PM

Chef Roger Andrews, an instructor of the Commercial Cooking program, will help prepare a home-cooked meal for Ronald McDonald House's Home for Dinner program. CNA employees are volunteering to serve nearly 40 meals to families with sick or injured children.

ST. JOHN'S, NL – Cooking is one of the greatest expressions of love, and to share this feeling within the community, especially sick children, makes it even more special.

On Friday, October 26, approximately seven College of the North Atlantic (CNA) employees from the Prince Philip Drive campus will be visiting Ronald McDonald House to serve nearly 40 meals as part of the Home for Dinner program – an opportunity for groups to help alleviate stress for families by providing a comforting home-cooked meal.

For many families, Ronald McDonald House has become a home away from home while they care for their sick or injured children who are receiving medical attention in St. John’s.

Chef Roger Andrews, an instructor of the Commercial Cooking program, will help prepare a home-cooked meal that will include: roast chicken with Mount Scio gravy, hash brown casserole, a vegetable side, and a strawberry sundae for dessert.

Diane Grandy, a Human Resource Specialist at CNA, decided to become involved for personal reasons.

“I have had an eye-opening experience while caring for a family member and living at the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto, Ontario. Now being on the flip side, I certainly have a new perspective on life and very grateful when giving back to the community.”

Grandy added that volunteering at Ronald McDonald House is a great group activity.

“Getting together as a group to do activities helps build and strengthen relationships among our team, as well as engage in the community,” she said. “Preparing a meal at Ronald McDonald House is a great feeling as the families are so appreciative.”

Christine Morgan, Director of Development and Communications at Ronald McDonald House, is especially thankful to the CNA group for their volunteer commitment to the Home for Dinner program.

“Volunteers are at the heart of Ronald McDonald House, helping provide vital programs and services to sick children and their families. Their outstanding commitment of time and energy has certainly made a difference in the lives of sick or injured children that need (this program). After a long stressful day at the hospital, nothing provides more hope and comfort to families than enjoying a nutritious meal made by caring volunteers in the community.”

Grandy added that having a child or a family member in Ronald McDonald House is not a pleasant situation; however, a nice, warm, comfortable environment and a place to take time to deal with everything happening can be a blessing.